Former Frontier exec takes helm of Astound as GFiber deal looms

Astound Broadband has a new CEO as the broadband operator pushes ahead with a deal to combine with GFiber. Ettienne Brandt, a former Frontier Communications executive with mobile experience, recently started in his new role at Astound. Astound Broadband is the umbrella company/brand for operators previously known as RCN, Grande Communications, Digital West, and enTouch Systems. New Street Research estimates that Astound's footprint covers about 4.5 million locations in parts of eastern Pennsylvania, Texas, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, California, Oregon and Washington, along with major markets such as New York City, Chicago, and Washington (DC).